Container making mechanism



Nov. l, 1960 E. K. woLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6. 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 vHEL/wur VOLT/WER BY Kam Ne/Me/E/e A TTORNEVJ NOV- l, 1960 E. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1957 F DAK@www m O MTM N N m .ma W WK N ,r n m 7 A w/ w N @FHL Nov. 1, 1960 E.. K.woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING NEcHANIsN 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 6.1957 Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM 9Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 6. 1957 INVENTORS EDI/WN K. WOLFF HEL/W07I/LTMER KURT NE/ME/E A TTOK/VEV Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINERMAKING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 6, 1957 ENTORS NOV 1, 1960E. K. woLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed sept. s, 1957 9 sheets-sheet 6INVENTORS EDW/N K. WOLFF HELMUT VOLT/WEP KURT NEI ME /E Nov. 1, 1960 E.K. lwoLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6. 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 i\ I mL a INVENTORS 50W/N K14/aff HELMUT MUA/15k f BY Kum" NE/ME/ER Nov. 1,1960 E. K. woLFF Erm 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING NECHANISM med sept. 6. 1957 9 sheets-sheet a Wmv`ATTOA/EKS Nov. l, 1960 E. K, woLFF ETAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 limitedStates `Patent CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Edwin K. Wolff, Stockholm, andHelmut Voltmer, Park Ridge, N l and Kurt Neimeier, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Sept. `6, 1957, Ser. No. 682,475

`65 Claims. (Cl. 9354) This invention relates to mechanism for applyingwrappers, covers, labels or the like, generically termed wrappers, tocontainer structures in the manufacture of containers such as set-upboxes or their equivalent, book casings, phonograph albums, and thelike, and has for its primary object the provision of an improvedmechanism of the indicated type capable of operating automatically togive fast dependable service with a minimum of care and with the use ofunskilled operators.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved transfermechanism for automatically carrying container structures in timedsequence with feeding and forming means and in such manner that there isno likelihood of the structures being crushed or damaged in the transferthereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfermechanism capable of delivering a container structure to a strippingmeans with the open end of the container in a controlled flared opencondition to facilitate the action of the stripping means.

'A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved transfermechanism for moving associated container and wrapper elements from atransfer station to a wrapping machine while exercising positive controlover both the associated container and wrapper elements and without thenecessity of engaging the adhesive material on the wrapper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfermechanism for moving unadhered associated container and wrapper elementsfrom a transfer station to a wrapping machine while exercising positivecontrol over such unadhered associated container and wrapper elements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedtransfer mechanism which will feed a container and wrapper assembly froma transfer station to a wrapping machine while simultaneously ejecting anished assembly from the latter, and which will move into position tofeed a succeeding container and wrapper assembly while such succeedingassembly is advancing to the transfer station.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfermechanism for moving a container and wrapper assembly from a transferstation to a wrapping machine and which is so constructed and arrangedwith relation to such machine that the form-block structure of thelatter and the devices associated with such structure are readilyaccessible for adjustment, repair and replacement.

Other specific objects of the invention as well as the Patented Nov. 1,1960 advantages and features of novelty thereof will appear from thefollowing description and will be pointed out in the claims. Thedescription should be read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. l shows in plain view a box wrapping systemernbodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the mechanisms located at thenight hand end of the box wrapping system shown in Fig. 1 andconstructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2and shows in top plan view box assemblies being fed to a transferstation with one assembly in position to be transferred from theconveyor to the wrapping machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2and shows in enlarged detail the devices which enable the transfermechanism to control the operation of the gluer which applies anadhesive coating to the wrappers of the box assemblies and feeds suchwrappers to the conveyor, the conveyor for advancing the wrappers to thebox registering station and for advancing the assemblies to the transferstation, and the wrapping machine for finishing the box;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view looking along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 andshowing the trigger mechanism which is actuated to control the gluer;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 2and illustrates the construction of the conveyor at the transfer stationand the construction and arrangement of the mechanism for controllingthe movements of the transfer means located above the conveyor;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of Fig.6` and illustrates the manner in which the transfer means located bothabove and below the upper run of the conveyor is connected to the mainactuating cam for such mechanisms;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the devices constituting thetransfer means located below the upper run of the conveyor, the deviceshown being that located on the right hand side, as viewed in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View, looking along the line 9 9 of theslide mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig.9;

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig.9;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which abox assembly is carried by the transfer mechanisrn from the conveyor tothe form block of the wrapper machine and showing a previously completedbox positioned on such form block;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 and illustrates the manner in whichthe box assembly is positioned on the wrapper form block and thepreviously completed box is moved from such block to a discharge ramp bythe transfer mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modifiedform of transfer means for transferring an unadhered box and wrapperassembly from the conveyor to v the form block of the wrapping machine,the View indi- Fig. 14 and showing the relation of the parts as suchmechanism is nearing the form block of the Wrapping machine;

Fig. 16 is a perspective View illustrating a form of phonograph albumwhich may be made with the mechanism of this invention;

IFig. 17 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modifiedform of transfer means for transferring an album assembly to thewrapping machine; and

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 17.

In a machine of the type with which the present invention is concerned,the wrappers a of the box or container structures are usually fed in asuccessive fashion under the control of the operator, to a glueingmachine A which applies an adhesive coating to a box engaging facesthereof and delivers such wrappers, coated face uppermost, to a conveyorB. The boxes b to which the wrappers a are to be applied in making suchstructures, may be initially brought into cooperative relation with eachother and the glueing machine A, either by being automatically fed intosuch cooperative relation by suitable known mechanism such as describedand shown in the US. Fleischer et al. Patent No. 2,075,605, issued March30, 1937, or by being manually co-related. Also, the boxes b may oemanually registered on the wrappers as the latter successively arrive ata position opposite an operator stationed at stool D as shown in Fig. 1of the drawings. During the travel of the wrappers a from the glueingmachine A to and past the operators stool D, suction is applied to theunder surfaces thereof through the conveyor belt B to hold them ilat andin predetermined positions onthe conveyor. The wrappers a from the gluemachine A are intermittently stepped along or advanced by conveyor B intimed relation with the wrapping machine C for completing theapplication of the wrappers on the boxes. After a wrapper arrives at aposition opposite the operator at stool D, a preformed or stayed box bis registered thereon while the conveyor is at rest, the adhesivematerial on the wrapper securing the bottom of the box to such wrapperto form an assembly of the container structure. A supply of boxes may bestacked Within easy reach of the operator on a supply table. Also stayedboxes may be delivered to the operator directly from the staying machineby means of a separate conveyor in timed relation with conveyor B. Thus,as indicated in Fig. l, the stayed boxes may be fed to the operator by aconveyor I which may be embodied in a box stayer J in the mannerdescribed and shown in copending application U.S. Serial No. 655,214 ledby George W. von Hofe et al. April 26, 1957. Following the formation ofthe assembly of the container structure comprising the partially appliedwrapper a and the box b, such assembly is stepped along by conveyor B toa succeeding station at which a tamper E descends while the conveyor isat rest, the tamper engages the upper edges of the box b and throughsuch engagement presses the box down uniformly upon the wrapper toassure a smooth uniform adherence of the wrapper to the bottom of thebox. Following this tamping operation, the container structure on thenext step-by-step movement of the conveyor B, passes between channelingmembers F. When the adhesively Acoated wrappers a are fed to theconveyor B by the glueing machine A, they are positioned approximatelyalong the center line of such conveyor. The suction applied through theconveyor B tends to hold the wrappers in that position as they areintermittently stepped along to the assembly station where boxes areapplied to the wrappers to form the assembly units of the containerstructures. In the event a container structure may have becomemisaligned during the registration of a box on a Wrapper at station D,the channeling members F are constructed and arranged to realign thecontainer structure in advance of its arrival at the transfer station,at which place the container structure is transferred from conveyor B tothe wrapping machine C. Thus, the channeling members F assure properposition of the container structure upon its. delivery t theA ransfstation. On the arrival of a container structure at the transferstation, the leading end of the box b thereof comes into engagement withstop means G which insures that the container structure has been fullyadvanced to the transfer station, in position to be properly engaged bythe assembly transfer mechanism H. During the next dwell period of theconveyor B, the transfer mechanism H is actuated under the control ofthe operator to shift the assembly of the container structuretransversely across the conveyor B and to deposit it on the lower partof a form block in the Wrapping machine C. While the transfer mechanismis in an advanced dwell position the upper half of ithe form block movesinto the box of the container structure and then the form block as awhole moves down inside the machine C, taking the assembly of thecontainer structure with it, at which time the side and end panels ofthe wrapper a are applied to the corresponding sides of the box b byfthe wrapping tools of such machine in a manner well known in the art tocomplete the container structure.

The conveyor B in the machine illustrated in the drawings is constructedsubstantially similarly to the suction type conveyor described and shownin the Fleischer et al. U.S. Patent No. 2,075,605 and like the lattercomprises a supporting frame 10 of suitable type and dimensions and onwhich a suction box or chamber 11 is provided in any suitable manner.The suction box is preferably of elongated form and is provided with aflat, perforated upper wall 12. Any conventional means may be utilizedfor developing suction in the suction box 11, as for instance a blower13, the suction side of which is in communication. with the interior ofthe suction box through piping 14, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of thedrawing. The blower 13 at its outlet side is provided with uprightpiping 15 to fthe discharge end of which is connected a nozzle 16arranged to discharge the air under pressure against the underside ofthe wrapper of an assembly as the assembly is being shifted from theconveyor onto the assembly supporting members of the transfer mechanismH, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The blower 1-3 isoperatively driven in any well known manner, as by means of an electricmotor 17 mounted upon a suitable bed supported by the base 51 on whichis mounted the transfer mechanism H. The conveyor B further includes atraveling support pervious to suction for carrying the wrappers a andthe box assemblies constituted of such wrappers and the boxes b fromstations A and D, respectively, to the transfer station H. The supportis illustrated in the form of an endless belt provided with perforations20, the arrangement being such that the upper run 21 of said belt passesover and is in contact with the perforated upper Wall 12 of the suctionbox 11 (note Fig. 6). Accordingly, during operative periods of themachine, the suction developed in the suction box 11 will be effectiveat the carrying surface of the support, or in other words, through theperforations 2.0 of the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt as it travelsover the perforated Wall 12. ln the instant machine, the suctionproducing means, as exemplied by the blower 13 and its associatedelements, is designed to develop only a relatively light suction at thecarrylng surface of the traveling support or upper run 21 of theconveyor belt. The suction is preferably sufficient to maintain thewrappers a in flattened condition and to hold the same on the upper run21 of the belt so as to cause such wrappers to move therewith, butinsuflicient to materially interfere with the slidable shifting of thebox assemblies during the transfer thereof to the wrapping machine C. Aspreviously mentioned, the conveyor B is intermittently advanced, makingone step for each cycle of the wrapping machine C, and its operation isalso synchronized with the operation of the gluer A in a manner wellknown in the art. As the gluer A may be of any known constructionsuitable for the purposes of the box wrapping system disclosed and asthe details of constructionof such a` gluer astiene? specifically formno par-t of the instant invention, it is un necessary to describe thesame in detail.

The operation of the gluer A and conveyor B is initiated by the operatordepressing a pedal 25 located at the box registering station D andsecured to a revolvably supported shaft 26 extending longitudinallybelow the conveyor (compare Figs. 1 and 2). Also provided on shaft 26 isan arm 27 which is located adjacently to the frame of the transfermechanism H (note Fig. 4) and which is connected in any suitable fashionto mechanism controlling the operation of the gluer and conveyor. Asshown in Fig. 4, arm 27 may be connected by a cable 22 to one arm of atrigger or lever 23 mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axison `a stationary part of the wrapping machine C. The other arm of lever23 is connected by a cable 24 to the gluer control mechanism in a mannerwell understood in the art, the arrangement being such that when pedal25 is depressed, arrn 27, cord 22, lever 23, cord 24 and the controlmechanism will be actuated to start the gluer and conveyor. The operatormaintains pedal 25 depressed until the gluer A has deposited asufficient number of glued wrappers a on the conveyor to enable thelatter in its step-by-step feed to advance the rst of such succession ofwrappers to station D. On such occurrence, the operator releases pedal25 and depresses pedal 28 on a revolvably supported shaft 29 locatedadjacent to and disposed in parallel relation with shaft 26, the twosuch shafts being substantially coextensive. Provided on shaft 29adjacently to arm 27 is an arm 30 which is directly connected to in anysuitable fashion and which controls a cone shaped clutch 31 mounted on ashaft 32 embodied in the wrapping machine C. As is shown in Fig. 4, suchconnection may take the form of a cable 37 which is connected at one endto the top of arm 27 and which is connected at its other end to the topof an arm 38 mounted on shaft 32. The construction and operation of thewrapping machine may be of any usual and well known type, but preferablyit includes a high speed clutch controlled input shaft, such as shaft32. In the known type of wrapping machine illustrated, shaft 32 isconnected through a free pulley 33 and belt 34 4to the motor (not shown)for driving such machine and is connected through suitable gearing (notshown) to the vertically disposed cam shaft 35 of the wrapping machine.Thus when pedal 28 is depressed, clutch 31 will be actuated to drivinglyconnect pulley 33 to shaft 32 and thereby enable the wrapping machinemotor to drive cam shaft 35. The operations of the gluer A and theconveyor B are synchronized with and controlled by the operation of thewrapping machine C in a manner which shall hereinafter become moreclear. Thus, even though the operator has released the gluer controlpedal 25, by his depressing the pedal 28 to start the wrapping machineC, the latter will take over the control of the gluer A and conveyor Band all units will be caused to operate automatically through onecomplete cycle. Suitable known mechanism will then come into operationto bring the wrapper C, gluer A and conveyor B to a stop. By maintainingthe pedal 23 in a depressed condition, however, so that the drivingrelation of clutch 31 and pulley 33 is maintained, the gluer A, conveyorB and wrapper C will recycle Awithout interruption in an automaticfashion to feed successive wrappers a and to complete the box assembliesthat are successively fed to the-Wrapper C. Shaft 26 is further providedwith an emergency stop pedal 36 which is connected to cable 24 at aplace between lever 23 and the gluer control Vmechanism and which ifpressed rearwardly will actuate suchcable to stop the gluer A andconsequently the conveyor B at any point in their cycle. In hisoperation of pedal 36, the operator Will initially or simultaneouslyrelease pedal 28 causing the immediate stoppage of the Wrapper C at anypoint in its cycle. The actuating mechanisms are prefer- 6 ably biasedto stop'positions by the use of springs, such as the'spring 40 shownconnected to lever 23 and to a stationary part of the wrapper.

The high speed input shaft 32 in the wrapping machine C is drivinglyconnected by a chain and sprocket connection which is designatedgenerally in Fig. 4 of the drawings by the numeral 41, to a high speedshaft 42 provided in the transfer mechanism H. Shaft 42 is rotatablysupported on the side frame members of such transfer mechanism at therear thereof and is disposed in substantial parallelism with shaft 32.Located forwardly of shaft 32 on such side frame members and disposed insubstantial parallelism therewith, is a third shaft 43 which also formspart of the transfer mechanism H and which is driven by shaft 42 throughspur gears 44 and 45. Spur gear 44 is provided on shaft 42 and issubstantially smaller than spur gear 45 on the shaft 43 so that thelatter shaft is rotated at a substantially lower rate of speed thanshaft 42. Mounted on one end of shaft 43 (note Figs. 2 and 4) is a cam46 the peripheral cam surface of which is engaged by a cam rollercarried by a vertically disposed arm 47 rotatably supported at its lowerend by a shaft member 48 for pivotal movement about the axis of suchshaft. Shaft member 48 is supported at its ends by the side frame member49 of the transfer mechanism H and by a bearing bracket 5@ mounted onthe base 51 `of such mechanism. The cam roller on arm 47 is maintainedin engagement with cam 46 by a spring 52 connected to the upper end ofarm 47 and to a fixed pin secured to side frame member 49. The upper endof arm 47 is also suitably coupled -to one end of a flexible shaft 55,the other end of the latter of which is secured to and carries thetamping plate 56 of the tamper E.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the tamper plate 56 isa ilat plate of any suitable, perferably light Weighted, rigid materialand is disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to and abovethe upper run 21 of the conveyor belt. The plate 56 is substantiallygreater in area than the horizontal area of the largest box in aparticular range of box sizes to be completed by the wrapper C and islocated above the region at which a box assembly will dwell after takingits rst step in the feed thereof from stat-ion D. The cam 46 is soformed that during a period of dwell of a box assembly beneath plate 56,arm 47 will pivot rearwardly under the influence of its associatedspring to cause the flexible shaft 55 to advance plate 56 downwardlyinto engagement with the upper edges of the box b of the assemblywhereupon such plate will yieldably press the box iirmly against thewrapper a of such assembly. Following such momentary pressing action ofthe plate 56, the arm 47 will be pivoted forwardly by cam 46 against thetension of its associated spring to retract shaft 55 and thereby raisethe plate 56 away from the box assembly so that the latter will be freeto rnove forwardly on the next step-by-step movement of the conveyorbelt. The end of shaft 55 connected to plate 56 is guided in its`reciprocating movements by a vertically disposed sleeve 57 that issecured in any suitable manner Ito the outer free end of a bracket arm58 extending transversely forwardly above the upper run 2l of theconveyor. The rear end of arm 58 is secured to the upper end of avertically disposed bracket member 59 having in the lower part thereofan elongated slot 60 lwhich forms part of the means adjustably mountingsuch member on a block 6l and enabling such member to be adjusted in avertical direction relative to such block and to the conveyor. The block61 is slidably supported by a horizontally disposed guide 62 secured tothe rear longitudinal edge of the conveyor frame l0. It will thus beseen that the arm 58 and consequently plate 56 may be adjustedvertically and horizontally relative to the upper run 21 o-f theconveyor belt to take care of variations in the places of dwell of thebox assemblies and in the sizes of the boxes of such assemblies and inthe pressure which is to be exerted by such plate on the box of anassembly. In order to exert more positive control lon the reciprocatingmovements of the plate 56 and to assure a uniform pressure thereof onthe upper edges of a box in an assembly, there is provided on such platean upwardly extending substantially vertical guide member (not shown)which passes through a guide opening formed in the bracket arm 58between sleeve 57 and bracket member 59.

Mounted on shaft 43 adjacent to earn 46 is a cam 65, the peripheral camsurface of which is engaged by a cam roller carried by a verticallydisposed arm 66 which is also rotatably supported at its lower end bythe shaft member 48 for pivotal movement about the axis of such shaft.The cam roller on arm 66 is maintained in engagement with cam 65 by aspring 67 connected to the upper end of such arm and to the fixed pin towhich the spring of arm 47 is also connected. The upper end of arm 66 isalso connected in any suitable manner, as by a cable 68, to the sameelement 23 to which arm 27 is connected in the mechanism for controllingthe operation of the gluer and conveyor. The cam 65 is designed to pivotarm 66 forwardly against the tension of the latters associated springfor a limited period during each cycle of the transfer mechanism H tocause such element in the control mechanism to be actuated to operatethe gluer and conveyor for another cycle. Immediately following theactuation of such control element, the cam 65 permits the arm 66 to bereturned to normal position by its associated spring. It will thus beseen that the control mechanism for the gluer and conveyor is operableeither ythrough the pedal 25, or by the cam 65 through operation ofpedal 28. The cam 65 is designed to cause the gluer A to furnish a gluedwrapper a to the conveyor B and to cause the conveyor to make one stepfor each cycle of the Wrapping machine C, such step being taken whilethe form block of the wrapping machine is dwelling in its lower oradvanced position. As previously mentioned, if the pedal 28 is not helddepressed by the operator, cam 65 will cease its rotational movementautomatically at the end of one cycle of operation of the Wrappingmachine, while if the pedal 2S is held depressed to recycle the wrappingmachine C, cam 65 will continue to rotate, thus causing the cycles ofthe gluer A and conveyor B to repeat automatically.

The channeling members F are positioned beyond the tamper E and arelocated so that a box assembly will pass therethrough in itsstep-by-step feed from station E to the transfer station H. There aretwo members F extending inwardly from the side edges of the conveyor andthey comprise aligning members '7G which are adjustably supportedhorizontally above the surface of the upper run 21 of the conveyor beltand between which the box structures of the box assemblies pass in thestep-by-step movement of the conveyor. The aligning members 70` areequally spaced from the center line of the conveyor, and are disposed toconverge in the direction of feed of the conveyor with the advanced endsthereof spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of thebox structure of the particular assembly being finished. The members 70are also raised with relation to the run 2l of conveyor so as to permitthe wrapper of the assembly to pass thereunder without obstruction andto cause the advanced ends thereof to engage the side walls of a boxstructure at points slightly above the glued surface of such wrapper.The rear end of each aligning member 7i) is `connected to the inner end`of a bar 71 extending at right angles to the conveyor mn 21. Each bar71 is adjustably secured in a holder 72 formed on the upper end of abracket 73 which is mounted on a side of the supporting frame 10 of theconveyor B, the construction being such that each holder 72 holds thebar 7l extending therethrough spaced adjacently above the conveyor belt.Each bar 71 may be adjusted separately transversely of the belt bylloosening the wing nut 74 associated with its S holder '72 and shiftingsuch bar lengthwise in such holder 72.

The stop means G at the transfer station comprises a stop member 75which extends transversely over the surface of the upper run 2l of theconveyor bent so that the leading end of the box of each assembly comesinto engagement therewith in `the advancement of such assembly to suchstation and so that each assembly is brought to a halt thereby inpredetermined position with respect to the transverse center line of theform block `of the wrapping machine C. The stop member 75 extends inspaced relation to the conveyor belt so as not to come into engagementwith the wrappers of the assemblies and is constituted of an anglemember whose narrower vertically disposed side is in opposed relation tothe feed of the conveyor and thereby forms the stop against which theboxes of the assemblies corne to rest. The Wider, horizontally disposedside of the stop member is secured at its forward end in any suitablemanner, such as by bolts, to the shorter transverse end of a right anglemember 76. The body portion of member 76 extends lengthwise of theconveyor and is adjustably mounted on the `front longitudinal edge ofthe latter. The underside of such body portion has formed therein alongitudinally extending groove 77 in which is received a longitudinalrib 78 provided on a base 79 that is secured to the frame l0 of theconveyor above the nozzle 16 of the compressed air system. The menrber76 is adjustably secured in position on the base 79 by wing nuts 80which are connected to bolts suitably located on such base and extendingthrough a longitudinally extending slot in the body portion of member76.

T he transfer mechanism H is associated with the stop means G andcomprises means located above the conveyor belt and including mechanismwhich grips the front wall of a box structure in an assembly and thenadvances the assembly transversely across the conveyor and towards theform in the wrapping machine C. The transfer mechanism H furthercomprises means located in major part below the upper run 2i of theconveyor and includes mechanism which engages the bottom unglued surfaceof the wrapper a beneath the rear wall of the box structure and whichcoacts with the upper means to carry the assembly from the side of theconveyor into proper position relative to the form of the wrappingmachine C. These upper and lower transfer means advance rearwardly insynchronism toward the wrapping machine C in the initial positions oftheir strokes to accomplish the above mentioned purposes and thenretract variably toward their normal forward positions, as willhereinafter appear more clear. The reciprocating movements of both theupper and lower transfer means are produced basically by a barrel camlocated within the frame of the transfer mechanism and mounted upon theshaft 43. The barrel cam is provided with two cam slots 436 and 87, slot36 being utilized to actuate the upper transfer means and slot 87 beingutilized to actuate the lower transfer means. The two cam slots aresubstantially similar in design except in the respect that cam slot 37will cause the assembly supporting members of the lower transfer meansto pull out from the path of the upper part of the form in the wrappingmachine during the descent of the latter and while the upper transfermeans is in a dwell position at the end of its advancing stroke, as willhereinafter be more fully explained. In view of this and the fact thatthe cam rollers for such slots are maintained in corresponding positionstherein the upper and lower transfer means will be caused to be operatedby the barrel cam S5 in complete synchronism. The cam roller engagingthe cam slot 86 is provided at the outer end of an arm 88 secured to thelower end of a vertically disposed shaft 89 which is rotatably supportedby suitable bearings 9d on the frame of the transfer mechanism H.Connected to the upper end of vertical shaft 89 is an arm 91, lthe outerend of which is connected by an adjustable link 92 to a carriage 93slidably mounted on a pair of parallel guide rails 94 extendingtransversely across the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt adjacentlybeyond the transfer station. The rails 94 are supported at their ends bybracket members 110, 110 mounted on a crossbeam 111 supported by thefront and rear frame members 112 of the transfer mechanism H. Providedon the carriage 93 are a pair of spaced guides 100 designed to slidablyreceive the vertically disposed side guide rods 101 of a verticallymovable block 102. Each side guide rod is connected to the block 102 byan upper holder 103 and a lower holder 104, such holders being formed sothat the ends of each guide rod are securely seated therein to preventmovement of the rod relative to the block 102. Extending upwardly fromthe upper end of block 102 is a fixed arm 105 carrying a cam roller 106arranged to ride on a horizontally disposed track 107 extendingtransversely of the The track 107 is supported at its ends by a pair ofarms 108, 108 which are secured to a transverse horizontally disposedshaft 109 mounted for oscillatable movement on the frame members 110,110. Forming part of arm 108 and extending beyond shaft 109 is an arm115 which is connected at its outer end to the upper end of a verticallydisposed connecting rod 116 (note Figs. 2 and 3). The lower end of rod116 is provided with a cam member 117 which engages a cam slot in a cam118 located within the housing of the transfer mechanism H and mountedon shaft 43 adjacently to the barrel cam 85.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the carriage93 and consequently the block 102 are reciprocated on the transverserails 94 through a fixed stroke by the connecting rod 92, arm 91,vertical shaft 89, arm 88 and slot 86 of the barrel cam 85. The block102 is therefore under the control of the cam '85 at all times and onecycle of reciprocable movement is imparted thereto by such cam duringeach cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism H. The arrangement ofthe parts are such that the block 102 is advanced `across the conveyortoward the wrapping machine C when the conveyor is in dwell position andis retracted while the conveyor is making its next step-by-step movementto advance a succeeding box assembly to the transfer station. After eachadvance movement of the block 102 and after each retracting movementthereof, the block is raised and lowered, respectively, through the arm105, roller 106, track 107, arms 108, S', arm 115, connecting rod 116and cam 118. During each cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism H,the block 102 will start from a raised, retracted position and will belowered vertically to enable gripping means carried thereby to grip thefront wall of the box in an assembly. After the box has been so gripped,the block 102 advances in such lowered position transversely of theconveyor towards the wrapping machine to move the gripping means and theassembly toward the form of the wrapper which completes the adhesion ofthe wrapper to the box. After the assembly has been stripped from thegripping means carried by the block 102, the latter will then be raisedvertically to a height which will enable such gripping means to passfreely over the next succeeding assembly moving toward the transferstation. The block 102 then retracts in a horizontal path parallel tothe top run 21 of the conveyor to its initial starting position, thuscompleting the cycle of operation that such block 102 makes during eachcycle of operation of the transfer mechanism.

Slidably mounted on the block 102 is a side flanged bracket member 120provided with a vertically disposed slot through which extends a bolt121 provided with a nut to secure the bracket member in a verticallyadjusted position relative to block 102. The vertical bracket member 120is provided at its lower end with a horizontal foot 122 which extendsaway from the block 102 and in opposed relation to the direction of feedof the conveyor. The foot 1 ,22 supports in depending relationY anelongated bracket member 123 which extends tansversely to and isdisposed in parallel spaced relation above the upper run 21 of theconveyor. The member 123 thus supported in offset relation to thebracket member 120, is secured for lengthwise adjustment thereon by abolt 124 which extends through a longitudinal slot provided in suchmember 123 and through an opening in the foot 122. As a result of thisarrangement, the bracket member 123 may be adjusted vertically relativeto the block 102 and to the upper run 21 of the conveyor, and may beadjusted horizontally relative to such conveyor run and the block 102 ina direction transverse to the direction of feed of the conveyor. Securedto the rear end of member 123 is an angle bar 125 which extendstransversely of such member and is disposed above the upper run 21 ofthe conveyor in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal axisthereof (note Figs. 2, 6 and 7). The central portion only of thehorizontal ange of bar 125 is connected to the member 123 so that theends of such bar project outwardly from the sides of member 123. Eachprojecting portion of bar 125 has slidably mounted on the rear surfaceof the vertical -ange thereof one or more blocks 126. Each of the blocks126 is secured in an adjusted position on bar 125 by a bolt whichextends through the block and a longitudinally extending verticallydisposed slot provided in the vertical ange of such bar portion. Each ofthe bolts adjustably connecting a block 126 to the bar 125 extendsthrough the upper end of and supports a gripping member 127 having alower vertically disposed gripping portion offset rearwardly from theupper portion thereof.

The rear end of the bracket member 123 is provided with a pair ofupstanding, spaced bearing supports 130 which support the ends of ashaft 131 upon which is rotatably mounted the hub of a lever having anupwardly extending arm 132 and a downwardly extending arm 133. 'I'he arm133 of the said lever is connected to the central portion of atransverse angle bar 134 which extends in substantial parallelism totransverse bar 125 and like the latter is provided on its projectingends of its vertical flange with a pair of longitudinally extendingslotted grooves forming guide ways for one or more blocks 135 which areadjustably connected to such ends by bolts. Mounted on each of theblocks 135 is a block-like gripping member 136 which has a verticallength substantially the same as the ofrset lower portion of thegripping member 127 and the rear face of which is in engagement with thefront face of such offset portion when the bar 134 is in its fullyadvanced position. The bar 134 in its fully advanced position isdisposed in spaced parallel relation below the transverse bar 125. Thebar 134 is normally 1 biased to this advanced position by a spring 137in Fig. 6

and which is connected at one end to a pin provided on lever arm 132 ata point spaced from the axis of shaft 131 and connected at its other endto a post provided on member 123 in the region of the foot 122. In orderto adjust the advanced position of the transverse bar 134 and thereby toadjust the degree of grip of a pair of members 127, 1136 on a boxstructure under the inlluence of spring 137, lever arm 132 is providedwith an adjustable stop 138 which comes into engagement with member 123.The stop 138 may be in the form of a bolt which is in threadedengagement with an ear provided on lever arm 132 and which engages thetop surface of member 123, the bolt being maintained in adjustedposition by a nut which is screwed into tight engagement with said ear.The upper free end of lever arm 132 is provided with a cam roller 139which engages the upper vertical portion of a cam surface 140 on avertical member 141 during the return movement of block 102 in a raisedposition. OnV engagement with such cam surface portion during the lastportion of the retracting movement of blockV 102, the roller rides up onthe same causing the lever arm 132 to be pivoted upwardly and rearwardlyagainst the tension of spring 137 to open the pairs of gripping members127, 136. When the block 102 moves vertically downward inthe initialpart of its cycle, the cam rol-ler 139 rides .down an inclined portionof the cam surface 14d which permits the lever 132 to progressivelypivot downwardly and forwardly under the tension of spring 137, therebyprogressively moving the gripping members 136 towards the grippingmembers 127. When the cam roller 139 reaches the lower vertical portionof the cam surface 141i, the members 127, 136 will have firmly grippedthe front wall of the box structure of an assembly located at thetransfer station under the tension of spring 137, as is shown in Fig. 6of the drawings. The vertical member 141 is constructed and mounted forvertical adjustment on an arm 142 supported by a transverse bracketmember 144 secured at its forward end to frame 110. Mounted on arm 1dadjacently to the vertical member 141 is a vertical scale 143 graduatedto show inches and fractions of inches and coacting with an indexelement on member 141 to enable ready adjustment of such member to takecare of boxes of varying heights in the assemblies fed by the conveyorto the transfer station. The arm 142 .is mounted on bracket member 144for adjustment in a horizontal direction transversely of the conveyor toenable the vertical member 141 to be adjusted for different widths ofboxes in the assemblies fed by the conveyor.

It will be understood from the foregoing that while the carriage `93 andblock 1112 have fixed strokes in the reciprocating movements thereof onthe rails 94, adjustments of the gripping members 127, 136 relative toblock 102 may be made to vary their path of operation to conform todifferences in the heights and widths of box structures in theassemblies fed by the conveyor to the transfer station. `Furtheradjustments of the cam actuating member 141 are then made to take careof the differences in the operations of such gripping membersnecessitated by such differences in the heights and widths of the boxstructures. In connection with such adjustments, it will be noted thatin making adjustments for wider boxes, the place of grip of the grippingmembers 127, 136 will take place further and fur-ther forwardly of thelongitudinal centerline of the conveyor belt which is at a fixeddistance from the parallel centerline of the form block in the wrappingmachine C. Thus, the stroke of the gripping members while of fixedlength, is shifted transversely of the conveyor for varying widths ofboxes to cause the centerlines of such different width boxes to allmatch up with the centerline of the wrapper form block. As has beenpreviously mentioned, the carriage 93 and consequently block 102 and thegripping members 127, 136, are retracted over the conveyor while Itheupper run 21 thereof is advancing the next box structure b and wrapper ato the transfer station. During the end portion of such retractingstroke, the cam roller 139 will come into engagement with the camsurface on the vertical member 141 and such cam members will cause thelever arm 132 to pivot rearwardly against the tension of spring 137 Thismovement of arm 132 will cause lever arm 133 to move forwardly andupwardly, thereby retracting the transverse bar 134 on arm 133 andmoving the gripping members 1136 forwardly away from their grippingrelation with the gripping members 127. The upper transfer means is thuspoised above the box assembly being fed to the transfer station, readyto move down into gripping relation therewith. After the box assemblyhas come to a dwell position at the transfer station and while the block102 is moved vertically downwardly prior to the commencement of itsadvancing stroke, the gripping members 127 enter the box structure ofthe assembly adjacent to the front wall thereof and the spaced grippingmembers 136 move downwardly over the front surface of such front wall.At the same time, the cam surface 140 permits the gripping members 136to move progressively to a closed position under the tension of spring137. By the time the f upper transfer means has completed its downwardmovement the gripping members 136 will be fully closed so that the frontwall of the box structure will be gripped by the pairs of members 127,136 under the tension of spring 137. On the next advancing stroke of theblock 102, the thus gripped box assembly will be shifted transverselyrearwardly across the upper surface of the conveyor run 21 toward therear longitudinal edge of such run which is adjacent to the wrappingmachine C. While the Wrapper a of the assembly is being so shifted andstill is in engagement with the upper surface of the conveyor run 21,the vacuum exerted through the perforations 20 thereof will hold thewrapper ilat against such upper surface and will overcome any tendencyof the advanced edge portions of the wrapper to curl under during suchshifting of the assembly. When the leading edge portions of the wrapper-move beyond the rear edge of the conveyor run, the air pressuredischarged from nozzle 16 will dow onto the underside of the portions ofthe wrapper leaving the conveyor and will float the wrapper oif theconveyor and onto a pair of spaced blocks 155 which form part of thelower transfer means and which at that time are in an at-rest positionat the edge of the conveyor, in position to slidably receive the wrapperassembly. The top assembly supporting edges of the blocks 155 inclineupwardly and rearwardly from below the conveyor run and during thetransfer of the box assembly from the conveyor to such blocks thepositive air pressure from nozzle 16 prevents the advancing edgeportions of the wrapper from folding under upon such inclined receivingedges of the blocks. As soon as the assembly has moved to a position onthe blocks 155 where the rear wall of the box structure will besupported by the same, the blocks are advanced in synchronism with thegripping members 127, 136, as will hereinafter become more clear. Theplaces at which the box struct-ure of the assembly is finally supportedon the inclined edges of such blocks 155 are slightly lower than theupper surface of the conveyor run 21. Thus, in coming to such places offinal support, the rear of the box droops so that the rear wall thereofis slightly lower than the gripped front wall thereof (note Fig. 12 ofthe drawings). This drooping of the rear of the box causes the open endthereof to become ared; the conguration of the blocks 155 determiningthe amount of droop of the box and consequently the degree of are towhich the box is opened. The blocks 155 and the gripping members 127,136 therefore will fully support the box assembly in its passage to theform block of the wrapping machine C with the box structure of suchassembly in a controlled, fiared open position. As will hereinafterbecome more clear, the flared condition of the box facilitates the entryinto the box of the upper half of the form in the wrapping machine andenables such form to move downwardly in the box structure readily `andwith substantially no resistance. The blocks 155 and the grippingmembers 127, 136 carry the assembly to the lower half 151) of thewrapper form block which is in a raised dwell position, the upper half151 of such form block at that time being spaced above such block `half151i and the associated stripper rods 152 being in a raised positionrelative to block half 150. When the supported rear edge of the boxstructure in the assembly is moved into position over block 150, thelower transfer means is actuated by barrel cam to cause the blocks 155to increase their speed of movement during this latter portion of theiradvancing stroke and thereby to pull out from under such assembly and tomove to a place rearwardly Vbeyond such block half. The rear of theassembly is thus deposited upon the upper surface of the block half andthe upper transfer means continues its advancing stroke to position theassembly upon the block half 154) so that their centerlines coincide. Inthe fully advanced position of the upper transfer means the grippingmembers 127 thereof will be positioned at the front edge of the formblock half 150 (note Fig. 13 of the drawings). It will be noted thatduring the shifting of the assembly across the upper surface of theblock half 150, the box will still be in a controlled flared openposition so that the upper half 151 of the form can readily movedownwardly into the ared open end of the box and strip the box structurefrom the gripping members 127, 136. -During such downward movement ofthe form half 150, the front edge thereof will be guided into the boxstructure by the spring grippers 127. It will be noted further, thatthroughout the transfer of the box assembly from the conveyor to theform block, the wrapper a is at all times maintained against the bottomof the box structure b. Thus, in the shifting movement of the boxassembly on the upper conveyor run 21 the wrapper is held against thebox bottom by a wiping motion which makes for a uniform smooth adhesionof the wrapper to the box. This adhesive connection is maintained whilethe assembly is being floated to the inclined supporting edges of theblocks 155, as is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. During the travel ofthe box to the form block of the wrapping machine, as is shown in Fig.12 of the drawings, the blocks 155 lock the paper in position on thebox. On the lower form block half .150, the wrapper is again heldagainst the bottom by the upper surface of such block as the assembly isshifted thereover following the pull-out of the blocks 155 (note Fig.13). Following the removal of the box structure from the grippers 127,136, the block 102 will be raised vertically and then retracted to bringsuch gripping members to an elevated position over the next box assemblywhich is being advanced to the transfer station by the conveyor at thesame time such gripping members are being retracted.

As has been indicated previously, the reciprocating movements of thelower transfer means, of which the blocks 155 form a part, are alsoproduced by the barrel cam 85 on shaft 43. The cam slot 87 of such camis engaged by a cam roller provided on the outer end of an arm 160similar to and arranged in parallel relation with the associated arm l88controlled by cam slot 86. Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 7 of thedrawings, it will be seen that the arm 160 is connected to the bottomend of a vertically disposed shaft 161 arranged adjacently to and inparallel relation with the vertical shaft 89 to which arm 88 isattached. Shaft 161 is rotatably supported by a bearing bracket 162secured to the frame of the transfer mechanism. Above the bearingbracket 162 there is connected to shaft 161 an arm 163 which isconnected by a link 164 to an arm 165 secured to a vertically disposedstub shaft 166. Bearing brackets 167 mounted on the frame part 49 of thetransfer mechanism rotatably support shaft 166. Fixedly secured to shaft166 above arm 165 is an elongated arm 168, the outer end of which isconnected by an adjustable connecting rod 169 to the central portion ofa substantially U-shaped cross yoke 170. The central portion of yoke 170is slidably mounted at its sides on guide rods 171 extendingtransversely of the conveyor and supported at their ends by a fronthorizontal bar 172 carried by the frame member 112 of the transfermechanism and by a horizontal bar 173 provided on the front side of theconveyor frame. The two ends of the cross yoke 170 are clamped in anysuitable fashion -to the front ends of a pair of rods 176 to enable suchcross yoke during its reciprocating movements on guide rod 171, toimpart longitudinal reciprocal movement to said rods 176. The rods 176form part of otherwise independent, similarly constructed mechanisms forreciprocating the assembly transfer blocks 155 and in view of thesimilarity of the parts of such two mechanisms, a description of one ofthe same will suffice for both. Before entering into such description,it might be said generally that the two reciprocating mechanisms arearranged in spaced parallel relation on opposite sides of the guide rods171 and are disposed transversely of the conveyor at the transferstation. The front ends of such mechanisms are mounted on the supportingbar 172 and extend rearwardly from such bar through the frame of theconbushing.

t 14. veyor beneath the top run 21 thereof and into the wrapping machineC to a point beyond the form block thereof. VAs will be seen in Figs. 2,3, 8 and 9 of the drawings, each of the aforesaid mechanisms or unitsincludes an angle bar 177, the horizontally disposed flange of which ismounted at its forward end of the supporting bar 172 and which issupported intermediate its length by the frame of the conveyor. The rearend portion of bar 177 projects in unsupported relation from the rearlongitudinal edge of the conveyor into the wrapping machine C andextends substantially beyond the form block of the latter (note Figs. 3and 8). The horizontal ange of the angle bar 177 is provided with alongitudinal slot 178 which extends from a point spaced from the frontend of bar 177 to the rear end of such bar. The slot 178 is engaged by aguide shoe 179 which is slidably mounted on lthe horizontal flange ofbar 177 and which is adjustably secured to the forward half of rod 176(note also Fig. l1). The shoe 179 is preferably secured to that part oflrod 176 which projects forwardly from beyond the front edge of theconveyor in the retracted condition of such rod. Loosely mounted on therear portion of rod 176 which projects beyond the rear edge of theconveyor, is a bushing 180 in Fig. lO and provided with a guide shoe 181which extends down into the slot 178 in bar 177. Spacedforwardly fromthe bushing 180 and adjustably secured to rod 176 is a collar 182 whichfunctions as an actuating member in the forward strokes of rod 176 toadvance the bushing 180 through a bumper 183 that is slidably mounted onrod 176 between such collar and The bumper member 183 is cylindricallyshaped and is preferably constituted of a suitable resilient plasticmaterial, such as synthetic rubber, capable of cushioning the blow onbushing 180 when such member is advanced by collar 182 and yet havingsuicient rigidity to function as a driving member. A spring 184 isconnected at one end to the bushing 180 and is connected at its otherend to shoe 179. Thus the spring 184 tends to maintain the bushing 180,bumper 183, collar -182 and rod 176 together as a unitary reciprocatingmeans. The movements of bushing 188 with rod 176, however, are limitedby a stop 192 which, is fixed with relation to bushing 180 and whichcomes into engagement with a bracket 190 when the rod 176 issufficiently withdrawn. It will thus be understood when rod 176 iswithdrawn by the cross yoke from an advanced position, the bushing 180,bumper 183, collar 182 and rod 176 will be withdrawn as a unit becauseof spring 184 until stop 192 comes into engagement with the bracketi190' which is located adjacent to the rear longitudinal edge of theconveyor B (note Fig. 3). O11 such engagement, bushing will halt itsretracting movement while rod 176 and collar 182 will continue toretract and thereby cause increase in the stress in spring 184. As aresult of the increased space between bushing 180 and collar 182 thebumper 183 will be in loose condition on rod 176. When therod 176 isnext advanced by the cross yoke 170, the collar 182 will pick up theloose bumper 183 and cause the rear end thereof to come into engagementwith the bushing 180, such parts being then advanced as a unit beyondthe bracket 190. Integrally formed on bushing 180 is an upper bushing188 on which the stop 192 is mounted. The bushing 188 is mounted forslidable movement on a stationary guide bar rod 189 which is supportedat its ends by an ear 191 provided on the rear end of the verticalflange of the angle bar 177 and by the bracket which is also mountedupon such bar flange. The bushing 188 carries a bar 193 which extends atright angles to the guide rod 189 and the rod 176 and is substantiallyparallel with the center line of the conveyor. That end of bar 193 whichis disposed in opposed relation of the bar 193 of the otherreciprocating unit has mounted thereon one of the guide blocks 155. Themovements of the bar 193 with bushing 188 are guided by a rod 194 theforward end of which is connected to one end of a rod 195 adjustablysecured on the bracket 190.

It will be understood from the foregoing that simultaneously with theadvancement of the previously described box gripping members the tworods 176 of the lower tnansfer means wil-1 be simultaneously advanced bythe yoke 170 and the mechanism which connects such yoke to the barrelcam S5. During the initial portion of the forward movement of the rods176, the stops 192 will be maintained by the springs 184 against thebrackets 190 so that the bushings 180 will remain stationary adjacent tothe rear side edge of the conveyor. In this position of the bushings130, the assembly supporting blocks 155 which are `of triangular shape,will have their apexes disposed under the rear edge of the upper run 21of the conveyor belt and the inclined supporting edges thereof adjacentto such rear edge, in position to receive a box assembly advanced by thegripping members of the upper transfer means. When the rods 176 haveadvanced to positions where the collars 182 thereof are just causing thebumpers 163 to come into engagement with the bushings ltf, to cause thelatter and consequently the blocks 155 to advance beyond the rear edgeof the conveyor, the box gripping members will have already advanced thewrapper a of the box assembly upon the inclined edges of the blocks 155and the rear wall of the -box b thereof is just riding off the conveyorinto engagement with such inclined edges of the blocks 155. The blocks155 and the gripping members will then advance simultaneously andtogether will support the box assembly in its travel from the conveyorto the form block in the wrapping machine.

As a result of this coaction of the parts of the lower transfer units,the collars 122 thereof m-ay be utilized to adjust the time ofadvancement of the blocks 155 in the advancing strokes of the rods 176for boxes of different widths. Thus, for wider boxes, the collars 152would be moved to positions toward the front ends of rods 176. When suchadjustments are made in the positions of the collars 182, it may be thennecessary to adjust the positions of the guides 179 on rods 176 to placethe springs 184 under the tensions required for a proper operation ofthe apparatus. As previously mentioned the support of the blocks 155will be such that the rear wall of the box structure will be slightlylower than the gripped front wall thereof so that the box structure willbe in -a controlled flared condition as it is being carried toward theform block of the wrapping machine to `facilitate the entry of the upperpart 151 of such block. As has been previously indicated also, thegripping members halt their advancing movement at the forward edge ofthe lower half 150 of the form block, while the blocks 155 travel acrossthe upper surface of such lower half 150 of the form block. The paths ofmovement of the blocks 155 relative to the form block :are locatedoutside the paths of movement of the stripping pins 152 associated withsuch block. In the final portion of their advancing stroke the blocks155 move beyond the 'form block to positions in rear thereof to permitthe upper block half 151 to enter into the flared box structure to`strip it from the top grippers and then to force the box assembly,together with the lower half 150 of the form block, downwardly into thefield of operation of mechanism for applying the sides of the wrapper ato the sides of the box b of the assembly. While the form block is inits downward position, the yoke 170 commences its return stroke towithdraw the rods 176 and consequently the guides 179 and collars 182.As the guides 179 retract, the springs 18d holding the bushings 180 andbumpers 183 in engagement with collars 182, withdraw the same, therebycausing the withdrawal of bushings 188 and blocks 155, the latter movingforwardly over the top of the form block of the wrapping machine. Thebushings and blocks 155 will be so retracted with the rods 176 until thestops 192 on bushings 183 come into engagement with the associatedbrackets 190, at which time the retracting movement of the bushings 130and 18,8, and the blocks 155 will be halted, while the rods 176 continuetheir return stroke. At this halted position of the blocks 155, theforwardly projecting -apexes thereof will be advanced beneath the run 21of the conveyor and the inclined supporting edges thereof will be againlocated adjacently to the rear edge of the conveyor, in position toreceive a succeeding box assembly.

It will be noted in Figs. 3, 6, 8, l2 and 13 of the drawings, that eachof the assembly supporting blocks 155 has mounted on the inner sidethereof an ejector member 197 arranged to engage a previously finishedbox assembly located on the lower form half and to eject the samerearwardly from such form half as the blocks are advancing a succeedingbox assembly to the form block to the wrapping machine (compare Figs. l2and 13). Each of the ejector members 197 are disposed on its associatedblock 155 at right angles to the longitudinal center `line of theconveyor and are mounted on such block for adjustment in the directionof its length. The rear end of each ejector 197 projects rearwardlybeyond its associated block 155 and is bent at right angles to the bodyportion thereof to provide a box engaging portion 198 spaced from therear of its associated block 155 so that such portion will engage afinished box on the form block 150 well in advance of the succeedingassembly being carried to the form block by the block 155. As thesucceeding assembly is being carried to form block 150, the ejectors 197will push the previously finished box off such form block and onto adischarge ramp 199 from which it may be removed in any suitable manner.

While the machine has been hereinabove described in relation towrapper-box structure assemblies in which the wrappers are coated on oneside with a layer of suitable adhesive, it is believed evident that itmay be efficiently utilized in the performance of other operations suchas, for example, the manufacture of what is known in the trade as loosewrap set-ups in which the sides of the wrappers a" therefore areprovided with lines of glue 205 along their outer edges, as shown inFigs. 14 and 15 of the drawings. A machine for the manufacture of boxesof this type would include a conveyor constructed in the manner ofconveyor B and provided at the transfer station thereof with upper andlower transfer means such as has been described above to move the boxassemblies to the wrapping machine. Accordingly, in the modificationshown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, those parts thereof whichcorrespond to parts of the previously described machine have been giventhe same reference characters. The transfer mechanism of themodification differs from the mechanism previously described only in therespect that the bar 125 which supports the gripping members 127 hasmounted thereon a tubing 206 which extends longitudinally of such barand which is provided adjacent to the sides of the support member 123with entry ports' 207 to each of which one end of a rubber tubing 208 isattached. The tubes 208 are connected to a suitable source of vacuumwhich is controlled by valving means of any suitable type properlyactuated in timed relation so that suction is provided in the tubing 206during the transfer of a box assembly from the conveyor B to thewrapping machine C. Communicating with tubing 206 are a plurality ofpipes 209 formed to extend rearwardly over the box structure b' of anassembly and then downwardly to spaced positions adjacent to the rearside of the wrapper between the box structure and the line of adhesive205 on the outer edge of such Wrapper side. Carried at the lower ends ofthe pipes 209 are vacuum cups 210 which are pressed into engagement wlththe rear side of the wrapper when the gripping members 127, 136 arelowered to come into gripping relation with the front wall of the boxstructure. It will thus be seen that while the wrapper a' is notadhesively attached to the box structure b', these two box parts aretransferred as a unit along the upper surface 21 of conveyor B by thegrippers 127, 136 and the vacuum members 210 as the box assemblyisinitially moved to the blocks 155 in its transfer to the wrappingmachine. In this embodiment of the machine it is preferable that theblocks 155' have an upper edge substantially parallel with the loweredge thereof as shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings', to permit of a morepositive gripping of the rear ap of the wrapper a therebetween. In allother respects, the blocks 155 are similar to the blocks 155 andfunction in the same manner as the latter. During the transfer of a boxassembly by the grippers 127, 136, the blocks 155' and the vacuummembers 210, the latter will move past the form block 150 to a positionin rear of the latter when the box assembly is deposited on such formblock. The pipes 209 on which such members 210 are sufficiently bowed inshape (note Fig. 15) to enable the upper form block to move downwardlytherebetween Without interference to strip the box assembly from thegrippers 127, 136. Suction may be provided on the pipes 209 until suchstripping action takes' place.

As a further illustration of the exibility of the machine of thisinvention, attention is directed to the type of phonograph albumillustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings. As shown, this album is composedof a rectangularly-shaped piece of cardboard which is bent at its centerto provide two sections 215, 216 forming the side walls of the containerstructure a" and between which is received the phonograph record that isto be inserted into the album. The entire outer surface of section orwall 215 is adhered to the body 217 of a wrapper b having a congurationin the blank as shown in Fig. 18 of Iche drawings. Attached to the bodyportion of the wrapper are side flap portions 218, 218 which are adheredto the front surfaces of the side edge portions of wall 216. The albumis completed by a bottom flap 219 which is connected to the body 217 ofthe wrapper and which is adhered to the front surface of the bottom edgeportion of wall 216. The adjacent ends of the flaps 218, 218 and 219 aresecured in overlapping relation in the manner shown in Fig. 16 of thedrawings. In making containers having the construction of this album,the machine of this invention may be constructed in the manner indicatedin Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, or may be further modied toeliminate the supporting bars 125 and 134 with the box supporting partscarried thereby and associated mechanisms, since such parts would not beutilized in connection with such containers. -With the elimination ofsuch parts, the vacuum members 210 remaining on the bracket member 123would constitute the sole container supporting means above the conveyor,as is indicated in Figs. 17 and 18 of the drawings. As the partsillustrated in these two figures are substantially similar tocorresponding parts shown in Figs. 14 and 15, similar reference numeralshave been applied to similar parts in all such figures. It will beunderstood from the previous descriptions of the machine, that the albumstructure a" and the wrapper b constituting the album assembly, uponarriving at the transfer station in the condition shown in Figs. 17 and18, will be shiftedk to the side edge of the conveyor B at which 'areresting the blocks 155 in position to receive the album assembly. Thisoperation is readily accomplished by the vacuum members 210 alonebecause -the wall 215 of the album structure a in each assembly isadhered to the wrapper b thereof, and the walls 215 and 216 of thestructure a are substantially rigid, the album assembly during thisoperation being shifted in a side wise fashion on the conveyor run 21and not lifted therefrom. Preferably the transfer mechanisms areadjusted to substantially center the album structure on the top edges ofthe blocks 155 before the vacuum members 210 and the blocks 155 move inunison toward the form block of the wrapping machine so that suchstructure is securely held therebetween during such transfer thereof. Itis preferred that almost simultaneously with the increase in speed ofmovement of the blocks 155 during the final portion of their advancingstroke and when such blocks are pulling out from under the albumassembly, the vacuum in members 210 be cutV out to permit the assemblyto be deposited on the block half 150 of the wrapping machine. Thecamway 86 of the barrel cam may also be modified to give the vacuummembers 210 a stroke motion more suitable to the transfer of this typeof container. lt shall of course be necessary that the container formingparts of the wrapping machine be modified in a manner understood bythose skilled in the art to accomplish the wrapping of this type ofcontainer.

It will be understood that various other changes in the specic forms ofthe invention shown and described may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a wall portion of a boxelement above the bottom surface thereof, and means for supporting thebox element at its bottom at a place spaced from the gripped portionthereof and cooperating with said gripping means to hold the box elementin a controlled given position when both said means are coacting tosupport said box element in its movement from said conveyor to saidother station.

2. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a Wall portion of a boxelement above the bottom thereof so that the weight of the depending boxelement causes the open end thereof to be in a flared condition, andmeans for supporting the box element at its bottom at a place spacedfrom the gripped portion thereof, said gripping and supporting meansbeing constructed and arranged to hold a box element with the open endthereof in a controlled flared open condition when both said means arecoacting to support said box element in its movement from said conveyorto said other station.

3. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising gripping means engageable with one uprightwall of the box element and by its engagement with such one wallcarrying the box element in depending relation and means for supportingthe box element at a bottom edge thereof and cooperating with saidgripping means to hold the box element in a controlled given positionwhen both said means are coacting to support said box element in itsmovement from said conveyor to said other station.

4. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising gripping means located above said conveyorand engageable with a portion of elements delivered to said transferstation to carry the same in depending relation, means above the upperrun of said conveyor for reciprocating said gripping means transverselyof the conveyor, means for supporting delivered elements, said grippingand supporting means being separately mounted for relative movement andmeans below the upper run of said conveyor for reciprocating saidsupporting means transversely of the conveyor and through a differentrange of movement than said gripping means.

5. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and Wrapperl elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said ele- 19 ments from said transfer station to another station,said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a Wall portion onone sideA of a box element to carry the same in depending relation, andmeans positionable beneath the box element for supporting theV bottom ofthe same at a place spaced from the gripped side Wall portion thereofand cooperating with said gripping means to hold the box element in acontrolled given position when both said means are coacting to supportsaid box element in its movement from said conveyor to said otherstation.

6. In a `container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station,V transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to anc'ntherv station,said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion ofelements delivered to said transfer station located above said conveyor,means above the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said grippingmeans, means positionable beneath delivered elements for supportingl thesame, said gripping and supporting means being separably mounted forrelative movement, means below the upper run of said conveyor foractuating said supporting means through a different range of movementthan said gripping means, and means for operating said actuating meansfor said gripping and supporting means in timed relation.

7. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and Wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of elementsdelivered to said transfer station located above said conveyor, meansabove the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said gripping means,said actuating means including a member reciprocably movabletransversely of said conveyor, means positionable beneath deliveredelements for supporting the same, said gripping and supporting meansbeing separably mounted for relative movement, means below the upper runof said conveyor for actuating said supporting means throgli a differentrange of movement than said gripping means, said lower actuating meansincluding a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor,and means for reciprocating said upper and lower actuating members insynchronism for at least a portion of each cycle ofreciprocal movementthereof.

8. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements f'rornsaid transfer station to another station,said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion ofelements delivered'to saidl transfer station, a first means foractuating said gripping means, said first actuating means including amember reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means vforsupporting delivered elements, said gripping andsupporting means beingseparably mountedrfor relative movement, a second means-for actuating'said supporting means through a different range of movement than saidgripping means, said second actuating means including a memberreciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, and means forcausing said first` and'second actuating members to advance insynchronism while said gripping and supporting means are coacting in thetransfer of the elements and for causing said second actuating member tomove at a greater velocity than the first actuating member during thefinal portion of its advancing stroke.

9. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and Wrapper elements to a transferstation, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of A'elements`delivered to said transfer station, a rst means for actuating-saidgripping means, said first actuatingemeans including a memberreciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means for supportingdelivered elements, said gripping and supporting means being separablymounted for relative movement, a second means for actuating saidsupporting means through a different range of movement than saidgripping means, said second actuating means including a memberreciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means forreciprocating said first actuating member through a fixed stroke, andmeans for reciprocating said second actuating member through a variablestroke dependent upon the size of the elements being handled by thesupporting means lassociated therewith. 4

10. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and Wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfermechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to anotherstation, said transfer mechanism comprising carrying means for grippinga portion of the box elements to carry the same in depending relation,and carrying means engageable with a plane surface of the wrapperelements at a place spaced forwardly of the gripped portion of the boxelements in the direction of transfer of such elements as such elementsare moved off the conveyor towards such other station so that saidWrapper engageable carrying means forms an uninterrupted supportextension beyond the conveyor, said gripping carrying means beingmovable relative to said wrapper engageable 'carrying means until thelatter is engaged by a wrapper.

11. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfermechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to anotherstation, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portionof the box elements to carry the same in depending relation, meanspositionable beneath the wrapper for supporting the box and Wrapperelements at a place spaced forwardly of the gripped portion of the boxelements in direction of transfer of such elements as such elements aremoved off the conveyor towards su'ch other station so that said wrapperengageable carrying means forms an uninterrupted support extensionbeyond the conveyor, and means for moving said gripping and supportingmeans in timed relation initially to move said gripping carrying meansrelative to said wrapper engageable carrying means until the latter isengaged by a wrapper and then to move both carrying means insynchronism.

12. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and wrapper elements to a registered position at atransfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from saidregistered position at said transfer station to another station, saidtransfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a wall portion of abox'elernent located at said registered position to carry the same independing relation Ifrom said position to said other station, suctioncontrolled means for engaging at said registered position a planesurface of a Wrapper element at a place on the latter spaced forwardlyof the gripped Wall portion of the box element in the direction oftransfer of such elements and `for supporting said wrapper-element independing relation by suction during the transfer thereof from saidregistered position to said other station, and vmeans for moving saidgripping and suction means in synchronism from positions over saidconveyor toward said other station.

13. In acontainer making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements registered atsaid transfer station to anotherstation, said transfer 'mechanism comprising means located above saidconveyor-for gripping a portionof elements delivered to said transferstation, means for supporting delivered elements -located'between said'grippingmeans and said 'other station, said grippingand'supportingmeans being separably; mounted` for relative movement` and saidsupporting means being located in YspacedY relation to elements1registered at said transfer station and in the path of movement of suchelements to said other station, means operable to move said grippingmeans parallelly with the upper run of the conveyor to shift elementsunder the control of said gripping means toward said other station andinto supported relation on said supporting means, and means operable tomove said supporting means in synchronism with said gripping meansfollowing the deposit of such controlled elements thereon.

14. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfermechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to anotherstation and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of saidconveyor towards a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, meansassociated with said conveyor for developing suction at the carryingsurface of such upper run suicient to hold the Wrapper element atthereagainst during such shifting movement of the wrapper element, andmeans for applying positive air pressure beyond said upper run to theunderside of the wrapper element as it moves beyond the side edge ofsaid upper run, said suction and positive air pressure being applied tothe wrapper element simultaneously during the transfer thereof from saidconveyor.

15. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfermechanism `for moving such elements from said transfer station toanother station and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper runof said conveyor towards a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond,said transfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supportingmember positioned 4adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor runin the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element, means associatedwith said conveyor for developing suction at the carrying surface ofsuch upper run suicient to hold the wrapper element flat thereagainstduring such shifting movement of the wrapper element, and means forprogressively applying positive air pressure beyond said upper run tothe underside of the wrapper element as it moves beyond the side edge ofsaid upper run to facilitate the movement of the wrapper element intosupported relation on said supporting member, said suction and positiveair pressure being applied to the Wrapper element simultaneously duringthe transfer thereof from said conveyor.

16. In a container making system, means including a conveyor fordelivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfermechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to anotherstation and operable to shift a Wrapper element on the upper run of saidconveyor toward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, saidtransfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting memberpositioned adjacent to and extending beneath such side edge of the upperconveyor run in the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element andhaving a wrapper element receiving surface extending from beneath theconveyor and beyond such side thereof to provide an uninterruptedWrapper element support extension for the conveyor, means for shifting awrapper on said conveyor towards said supporting member while the latteris waiting in such position at the side edge of the conveyor, means forfacilitating the movement of a wrapper element into supported relationon the receiving surface of said supporting element and means for movingsaid supporting member 4and shifting means simultaneously to enable thesame to Acoact to carry a wrapper element from the conveyor to saidother station.

17. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving such elements from said transfer station to another station andoperable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyortoward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfermechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting member'positioned adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor run in thepath of movement of a shifting wrapper element and having a wrapperelement receiving surface adapted to= support a shifted wrapper element,and extending without interruption from the conveyor so as to providean. uninterrupted wrapper element support extension for the conveyormeans for moving a Wrapper element on the conveyor towards saidsupporting member while the latter is waiting in such position at theside of the conveyor, and means for moving said member towards saidother station in coaction with said moving means as soon as the wrapperelement is received thereby.

18. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another station andoperable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyortoward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfermechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting memberpositioned adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor run in thepath of movement of a shifting wrapper element and having a receivingsurface adapted to support a wrapper element shifted thereon andextending without interruption from the conveyor so as to provide anuninterrupted wrapper element support extension for the conveyor meansfor moving a wrapper element on the conveyor towards said supportingmember while the latter is waiting in such position at the side of theconveyor, means for moving said member towards said other station incoaction with said moving means as soon as a wrapper element is receivedthereby, and an ejector member mounted on said member and located in aleading position thereon to enable it to eject a container formed fromassociated box and wrapper elements previously fed to said other stationbefore the wrapper element supported by said member is deliveredthereto.

19. In a container making machine, means including a conveyor forfeeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, box coveringmechanism comprising vertically reciprocable form block structure,transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer stationto said form block structure and including a supporting member adaptedto support associated box and wrapper elements and normally positionedat a side edge of the conveyor so that it forms an uninterrupted supportextension of the conveyor, means for shifting associated box and wrapperelements from said transfer station onto the supporting member waitingat said position and toward said box covering mechanism, meanssupporting said member for movement in coaction with said shifting meansalong a path that transverses the path of movement of said form blockstructure to bring associated box and wrapper elements into registrywith such structure, said supporting means being constructed andarranged to enable said member to move through its path withoutinterference with said form block structure, and means for actuatingsaid supporting means in timed relation to said form block structure sothat said member in its forward stroke transverses the path of said formblock structure to a position therebeyond and returns through such pathwithout interference with said form block structure.

20. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feedingbox and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism formoving said elements from said transfer station to another stationcomprising movable supporting means normally positioned at a side of theconveyor to provide an uninterrupted support extension for saidconveyor, gripping means engageable with a portion of a deliveredelement to carry the same to said supporting means awaiting at the sideof the conveyor and to said other station, a slide bar extendinghorizontally, transversely over the upper

